During Your Internship

Document your experience

Documenting your internship experience with an Internship Portfolio allows you to reflect on the experience and show future employers about your internship experience. Portfolios can consist of the following:

Internship job description

Internship agreement

Samples of work you completed during your internship.

Mid- and final evaluations.

Letter of recommendations from your internship supervisor (always politely ask for this when completing your internship).

Any other information related to your internship experience.

Consider journaling your internship experience, describing challenges you faced, what went well, what you learned, what you are most proud of, and names of people you have worked with at the organization. Journaling your experiences helps you remember what you worked on throughout your internship and can help you build your resume to reflect this experience.

Have an honest and open conversation with your supervisor as you begin this experience to clarify these common issues:

What are your specific daily duties or responsibilities

What will your supervisor’s responsibilities be

How will your supervisor provide you with regular feedback, guidance and support

What training will you need and receive to be successful

How and when will you be evaluated

Will you be expected to evaluate the internship or organization and how will this be done.

What will you need to do if you will be absent from work

Will you be able to meet with your supervisor on a weekly basis or as needed to discuss progress, responsibilities and concerns on both sides

Complete required paperwork due to supervisor and the Department Dean of your program of study on time.

Bucks requires internship students and internship supervisors to complete a Work Plan, Memorandum of Understanding with Employer, Confidential Information and Invention Agreement and mid-term and final evaluations. Be sure to check with your Bucks Internship Coordinator for any other necessary paperwork requirements.

Above all, practice an excellent work ethic, including:

Be reliable and on time every day

When possible, do more than what is expected of you to always leave your internship company impressed.

Bring energy and enthusiasm to the organization. Show your gratitude for this opportunity.

Don’t be afraid to bring new ideas to your supervisor. Companies hire interns as a way to bring a new perspective and fresh ideas to the company.

Dress well – avoid trendy clothing. Your clothing reflects your status in the company and dressing for success will give your co-workers a positive perspective of your potential.

Balance self-sufficiency with asking questions – Show up with confidence and skills of your own but know it is expected that you ask questions along the way.

Participate – show initiative and seek out opportunities whenever possible. Participate as you are allowed, in internal and external meetings. This offers you networking opportunities as well.

Stay flexible – Be willing to do whatever work is asked of you. Gladly take on projects that no one else wants; it’s an opportunity to make something out of nothing!

Attention to detail – check over your work carefully and thoroughly for mistakes. You are being evaluated as a potential employee and you don’t want to make mistakes that could easily be prevented by proof reading and editing

Network – Meet everyone you can while interning. Ask your fellow employees to introduce you to others.

Remain calm, productive and professional at all times. Do not engage in office gossip and unproductive chatter.